In his address of welcome the Rector, Jorge Baeza, said: "If the decision to study at a university of proven quality constitutes a good choice, then you have made a good choice. Our university has received an institutional certification of quality for four years, which places it above the national average. It also has a five-year quality certification for most of its courses."
The Rector of the University also highlighted the person after whom the university is named, the Salesian Cardinal Silva Henríquez: "His tireless efforts in the struggle for justice and freedom were nourished from the spiritual riches of Don Bosco." He went on to say: "We bear the name of a Salesian Cardinal who was born in this land, and who made his own the dream of Don Bosco, the dream of a constant search for an ever more fraternal society."
Similarly, Fr Alberto Lorenzelli, President and Chancellor of the University and Provincial of the Salesians in Chile, told the students: "Today Don Bosco invites you to this house, welcomes you in the hope that you will feel it is your home, and we want it to be like a home where we will protect you, take care of you and love you." Then, referring to Cardinal Silva Henríquez, he said: "He lived a practical life, with his rich humanity, deep spirituality and his commitment to the good of the country. He had a dream, a dream for Chile, which he wanted to be a country with more equality, justice, fraternity and solidarity."
